Insight

Sewage is a dirty word. Regulation isn't.

Paul de Zylva12 Feb 2025

The sewage pollution scandal shows the dangers of deregulation and weakening standards. Paul de Zylva asks how present ministers can make up for past failures and reboot regulation for good.

Harnessing AI for environmental justice

10 Feb 2025

Principles and practices to guide climate justice and digital rights campaigners in the responsible use of AI.

Three things the government must do to end the peat scandal

Paul de Zylva07 Feb 2025

If the government wants to restore depleted nature in the UK and reduce risks from climate breakdown, it must show a clean pair of hands on peat.

Why the government was wrong to ever allow banned neonics

Sandra Bell04 Feb 2025

Despite the ban on bee-harming neonic pesticides, the UK government repeatedly used a loophole to allow their temporary use from 2021 to 2024, against the recommendation of its own scientific advisors. The new government stopped this annual rigmarole in January 2025. It must now close the loophole and end all neonic use from now on.

What we need in a Big Climate Plan that’s bolder and fairer

26 Sep 2024

Friends of the Earth is demanding a Big Climate Plan to cut emissions and improve people’s lives. Find out which policies we think the plan should include.

Reaching a net zero grid: our position

Magnus Gallie, Friends of the Earth's Senior Planner06 Aug 2024

Magnus Gallie explains how the UK’s electricity grid must change to avoid the worst landscape and nature harms while still decarbonising to meet climate targets.

Why climate and nature must be embedded in English devolution

Sandra Bell29 Jul 2024

Sandra Bell explains why we can’t solve the climate and nature crises without the engagement of devolved authorities, and what’s stopping effective action.

General election: scoring of manifestos and policies

24 Jun 2024382 kB XLSX file

This general election, for the first time, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace UK teamed up to score party manifestos and current party policies. The 4 main political parties were scored against a set of 40 policy recommendations compiled by the 2 organisations. This spreadsheet has the details.

It’s time we paid farmers properly, and more

Paul de Zylva10 May 2024

Paul de Zylva examines the unsustainable future facing many UK farmers and the factors that should be considered in creating a fair price for farming.

Full data analysis: England's onshore renewable energy potential

09 Apr 2024113 kB XLSX file

Download the spreadsheet containing our full data analysis on England's potential for onshore renewable energy.

How England can produce more onshore renewable energy fast

09 Apr 2024

New analysis shows England has the space to become a green energy superpower. Find out how much and where new onshore wind and solar energy could be generated.

How Britain’s bus services have drastically declined

28 Nov 2023

New research shows that, while London has been spared, bus services have been slashed throughout the rest of the country. Find out who’s worst impacted.

Friends of the Earth’s demands for the general election

07 Nov 2023

We're demanding urgent climate and nature action from all political parties. Find out what we're calling for them to commit to in their election manifestos.

Urban cooling by trees and green spaces - research findings

12 Jul 202317.84 MB PDF file

New research for 5 English cities shows that trees and green spaces cool some neighbourhoods by up to 5 degrees. This research document includes heat maps for these cities, alongside a description of the cooling provided and the research methodology used.

As the planet burns, government climate plans go backwards

Mike Childs07 Jul 2023

Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy and Research, explains the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 report and why we're challenging UK carbon reduction plans.